EP0890516A1 - Heat sealing method and device for packaging container production - Google Patents

Heat sealing method and device for packaging container production Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0890516A1
EP0890516A1 EP19980305297 EP98305297A EP0890516A1 EP 0890516 A1 EP0890516 A1 EP 0890516A1 EP 19980305297 EP19980305297 EP 19980305297 EP 98305297 A EP98305297 A EP 98305297A EP 0890516 A1 EP0890516 A1 EP 0890516A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
web
sealing
heating energy
packaging container
values pertaining
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP19980305297
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0890516B1 (en
Inventor
Hiroshi C/o Shikoku Kakoki Co. LTD. Katayama
Akimasa c/o Shikoku Kakoki Co. Ltd. Fujimoto
Hidehito c/o Shikoku Kakoki Co. Ltd. Yamoto
Michio C/O Shikoku Kakoki Co. Ltd. Ueda
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Shikoku Kakoki Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Shikoku Kakoki Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Shikoku Kakoki Co Ltd filed Critical Shikoku Kakoki Co Ltd
Publication of EP0890516A1 publication Critical patent/EP0890516A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0890516B1 publication Critical patent/EP0890516B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B51/00—Devices for, or methods of, sealing or securing package folds or closures; Devices for gathering or twisting wrappers, or necks of bags
    • B65B51/10—Applying or generating heat or pressure or combinations thereof
    • B65B51/26—Devices specially adapted for producing transverse or longitudinal seams in webs or tubes
    • B65B51/30—Devices, e.g. jaws, for applying pressure and heat, e.g. for subdividing filled tubes
    • B65B51/303—Devices, e.g. jaws, for applying pressure and heat, e.g. for subdividing filled tubes reciprocating along only one axis
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/34—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement"
    • B29C65/36—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement" heated by induction
    • B29C65/3604—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement" heated by induction characterised by the type of elements heated by induction which remain in the joint
    • B29C65/3656—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement" heated by induction characterised by the type of elements heated by induction which remain in the joint being a layer of a multilayer part to be joined, e.g. for joining plastic-metal laminates
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/34—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement"
    • B29C65/36—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement" heated by induction
    • B29C65/3672—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement" heated by induction characterised by the composition of the elements heated by induction which remain in the joint
    • B29C65/3676—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement" heated by induction characterised by the composition of the elements heated by induction which remain in the joint being metallic
    • B29C65/368—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated elements which remain in the joint, e.g. "verlorenes Schweisselement" heated by induction characterised by the composition of the elements heated by induction which remain in the joint being metallic with a polymer coating
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/74—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by welding and severing, or by joining and severing, the severing being performed in the area to be joined, next to the area to be joined, in the joint area or next to the joint area
    • B29C65/745—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by welding and severing, or by joining and severing, the severing being performed in the area to be joined, next to the area to be joined, in the joint area or next to the joint area using a single unit having both a severing tool and a welding tool
    • B29C65/7451—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by welding and severing, or by joining and severing, the severing being performed in the area to be joined, next to the area to be joined, in the joint area or next to the joint area using a single unit having both a severing tool and a welding tool the severing tool and the welding tool being movable with respect to one-another
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/10—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/11—Joint cross-sections comprising a single joint-segment, i.e. one of the parts to be joined comprising a single joint-segment in the joint cross-section
    • B29C66/112—Single lapped joints
    • B29C66/1122—Single lap to lap joints, i.e. overlap joints
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/40—General aspects of joining substantially flat articles, e.g. plates, sheets or web-like materials; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles; Joining single elements to substantially flat surfaces
    • B29C66/41—Joining substantially flat articles ; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles
    • B29C66/43—Joining a relatively small portion of the surface of said articles
    • B29C66/431—Joining the articles to themselves
    • B29C66/4312—Joining the articles to themselves for making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles, e.g. transversal seams
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/72—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/723—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined being multi-layered
    • B29C66/7232—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined being multi-layered comprising a non-plastics layer
    • B29C66/72321—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined being multi-layered comprising a non-plastics layer consisting of metals or their alloys
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/72—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/723—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined being multi-layered
    • B29C66/7232—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined being multi-layered comprising a non-plastics layer
    • B29C66/72327—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined being multi-layered comprising a non-plastics layer consisting of natural products or their composites, not provided for in B29C66/72321 - B29C66/72324
    • B29C66/72328—Paper
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/73—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset
    • B29C66/739—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset
    • B29C66/7392—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of at least one of the parts being a thermoplastic
    • B29C66/73921—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of at least one of the parts being a thermoplastic characterised by the materials of both parts being thermoplastics
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/81—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/814—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/8141—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the surface geometry of the part of the pressing elements, e.g. welding jaws or clamps, coming into contact with the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/81427—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the surface geometry of the part of the pressing elements, e.g. welding jaws or clamps, coming into contact with the parts to be joined comprising a single ridge, e.g. for making a weakening line; comprising a single tooth
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/81—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/814—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/8141—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the surface geometry of the part of the pressing elements, e.g. welding jaws or clamps, coming into contact with the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/81431—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the surface geometry of the part of the pressing elements, e.g. welding jaws or clamps, coming into contact with the parts to be joined comprising a single cavity, e.g. a groove
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/81—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/814—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/8145—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the constructional aspects of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/81457—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the constructional aspects of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps comprising a block or layer of deformable material, e.g. sponge, foam, rubber
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/82—Pressure application arrangements, e.g. transmission or actuating mechanisms for joining tools or clamps
    • B29C66/822—Transmission mechanisms
    • B29C66/8227—Transmission mechanisms using springs
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/82—Pressure application arrangements, e.g. transmission or actuating mechanisms for joining tools or clamps
    • B29C66/824—Actuating mechanisms
    • B29C66/8242—Pneumatic or hydraulic drives
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/83—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof characterised by the movement of the joining or pressing tools
    • B29C66/834—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof characterised by the movement of the joining or pressing tools moving with the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/8351—Jaws mounted on rollers, cylinders, drums, bands, belts or chains; Flying jaws
    • B29C66/83541—Jaws mounted on rollers, cylinders, drums, bands, belts or chains; Flying jaws flying jaws, e.g. jaws mounted on crank mechanisms or following a hand over hand movement
    • B29C66/83543—Jaws mounted on rollers, cylinders, drums, bands, belts or chains; Flying jaws flying jaws, e.g. jaws mounted on crank mechanisms or following a hand over hand movement cooperating flying jaws
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/84—Specific machine types or machines suitable for specific applications
    • B29C66/849—Packaging machines
    • B29C66/8491—Packaging machines welding through a filled container, e.g. tube or bag
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/90—Measuring or controlling the joining process
    • B29C66/91—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux
    • B29C66/912—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by measuring the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux
    • B29C66/9131—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by measuring the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by measuring the heat or the thermal flux, i.e. the heat flux
    • B29C66/91311—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by measuring the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by measuring the heat or the thermal flux, i.e. the heat flux by measuring the heat generated by Joule heating or induction heating
    • B29C66/91313—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by measuring the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by measuring the heat or the thermal flux, i.e. the heat flux by measuring the heat generated by Joule heating or induction heating by measuring the voltage, i.e. the electric potential difference or electric tension
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/90—Measuring or controlling the joining process
    • B29C66/91—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux
    • B29C66/912—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by measuring the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux
    • B29C66/9131—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by measuring the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by measuring the heat or the thermal flux, i.e. the heat flux
    • B29C66/91311—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by measuring the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by measuring the heat or the thermal flux, i.e. the heat flux by measuring the heat generated by Joule heating or induction heating
    • B29C66/91315—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by measuring the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by measuring the heat or the thermal flux, i.e. the heat flux by measuring the heat generated by Joule heating or induction heating by measuring the current intensity
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/90—Measuring or controlling the joining process
    • B29C66/91—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux
    • B29C66/914—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux
    • B29C66/9161—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the heat or the thermal flux, i.e. the heat flux
    • B29C66/91641—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the heat or the thermal flux, i.e. the heat flux the heat or the thermal flux being non-constant over time
    • B29C66/91643—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the heat or the thermal flux, i.e. the heat flux the heat or the thermal flux being non-constant over time following a heat-time profile
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/90—Measuring or controlling the joining process
    • B29C66/91—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux
    • B29C66/914—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux
    • B29C66/9161—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the heat or the thermal flux, i.e. the heat flux
    • B29C66/91651—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the heat or the thermal flux, i.e. the heat flux by controlling or regulating the heat generated by Joule heating or induction heating
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/90—Measuring or controlling the joining process
    • B29C66/91—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux
    • B29C66/914—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux
    • B29C66/9161—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the heat or the thermal flux, i.e. the heat flux
    • B29C66/91651—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the heat or the thermal flux, i.e. the heat flux by controlling or regulating the heat generated by Joule heating or induction heating
    • B29C66/91655—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the heat or the thermal flux, i.e. the heat flux by controlling or regulating the heat generated by Joule heating or induction heating by controlling or regulating the current intensity
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/90—Measuring or controlling the joining process
    • B29C66/92—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the pressure, the force, the mechanical power or the displacement of the joining tools
    • B29C66/924—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the pressure, the force, the mechanical power or the displacement of the joining tools by controlling or regulating the pressure, the force, the mechanical power or the displacement of the joining tools
    • B29C66/9241—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the pressure, the force, the mechanical power or the displacement of the joining tools by controlling or regulating the pressure, the force, the mechanical power or the displacement of the joining tools by controlling or regulating the pressure, the force or the mechanical power
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/71—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/82—Pressure application arrangements, e.g. transmission or actuating mechanisms for joining tools or clamps
    • B29C66/822—Transmission mechanisms
    • B29C66/8226—Cam mechanisms; Wedges; Eccentric mechanisms
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/90—Measuring or controlling the joining process
    • B29C66/94—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the time
    • B29C66/944—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the time by controlling or regulating the time
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/90—Measuring or controlling the joining process
    • B29C66/94—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the time
    • B29C66/949—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the time characterised by specific time values or ranges
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/90—Measuring or controlling the joining process
    • B29C66/95—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling specific variables not covered by groups B29C66/91 - B29C66/94
    • B29C66/959—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling specific variables not covered by groups B29C66/91 - B29C66/94 characterised by specific values or ranges of said specific variables
    • B29C66/9592—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling specific variables not covered by groups B29C66/91 - B29C66/94 characterised by specific values or ranges of said specific variables in explicit relation to another variable, e.g. X-Y diagrams
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/90—Measuring or controlling the joining process
    • B29C66/96—Measuring or controlling the joining process characterised by the method for implementing the controlling of the joining process
    • B29C66/961—Measuring or controlling the joining process characterised by the method for implementing the controlling of the joining process involving a feedback loop mechanism, e.g. comparison with a desired value
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/90—Measuring or controlling the joining process
    • B29C66/96—Measuring or controlling the joining process characterised by the method for implementing the controlling of the joining process
    • B29C66/967—Measuring or controlling the joining process characterised by the method for implementing the controlling of the joining process involving special data inputs or special data outputs, e.g. for monitoring purposes
    • B29C66/9674—Measuring or controlling the joining process characterised by the method for implementing the controlling of the joining process involving special data inputs or special data outputs, e.g. for monitoring purposes involving special data outputs, e.g. special data display means
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2705/00—Use of metals, their alloys or their compounds, for preformed parts, e.g. for inserts
    • B29K2705/02—Aluminium
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
    • B29L2031/00—Other particular articles
    • B29L2031/712—Containers; Packaging elements or accessories, Packages
    • B29L2031/7162—Boxes, cartons, cases
    • B29L2031/7166—Cartons of the fruit juice or milk type, i.e. containers of polygonal cross sections formed by folding blanks into a tubular body with end-closing or contents-supporting elements, e.g. gable type containers

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a packaging container producing method and equipment, and in particular relates to a packaging container producing method and equipment by which a plate-like web is molded into a tubular web and a filling liquid such as a fluid food is filled in the tubular web.
  • a plate-like web wound like a roll is moved while being continuously unwound, in order to gradually mold it to be tubular, the web is continuously adhered at the position where both ends thereof in the direction orthogonal to the lengthwise direction of the web slightly overlap, and a filling liquid such as a fluid food is filled therein.
  • the packaging containers are enclosed below the level of the filling liquid and are sealed (cross sealed) in the direction orthogonal to the web lengthwise direction. Thereafter, nearly the central portion of the abovementioned cross-sealed part in its width direction is cut off. That is, by repeating a series of these operations, a liquid filling packaging container is formed, wherein finally, a parallel-hexahedral container is produced.
  • two pairs of sealing jaws 2 are provided, which cross seal a web in such a state that the web is pressed from both sides thereof, and the tubular web being transferred downward is put and nipped between the respective pairs of sealing jaws which move along with the web while pulling the web W.
  • the sealing jaws shift down an appointed distance, nearly the central portion of the cross-sealing part is cut off as described above, and simultaneously the sealing state of the web W is opened to cancel the downward transferring force of the tubular web, wherein the sealing jaws are caused to move in a direction of being spaced from each other, and elevated an appointed distance, and the processes of a sealing operation of a tubular web are repeated.
  • a tubular web is composed of a multi-layered structure consisting of polyethylene film layer, adhesive glue layer, aluminium foil layer, paper layer, and polyethylene film layer from the inside in that order.
  • the cross sealing of the tubular web is carried out by heating and melting the polyethylene film layer using the abovementioned pair of sealing jaws.
  • a pair of sealing jaws consists of, for example, as shown in FIG.2 and FIG.3, a heat sealing jaw 7a for heat-sealing, and a pressure receiving jaw 7b to receive a compression force from the heat sealing jaw 7a (although, in FIG.2, there is a pair of heat sealing jaw 7a and a pressure receiving jaw 7b, and there is a pair of a heat sealing jaw 7a' and a pressure receiving jaw 7b', hereinafter the description deals with only the pair of heat sealing jaw 7a and pressure receiving jaw 7b), an inductor 8 is provided at the contacting portion of the heat sealing jaw 7a with the web surface, and a pressure receiving bar 9 and a cutter 11, which cuts off the middle portion of the cross-sealed part in the width direction, are secured at the contacting portion of the pressure receiving jaw 7b with the web W.
  • a hook 16a and a hook 16b are provided at both ends of the heat sealing jaw 7a and pressure receiving jaw 7b, respectively, wherein the hook 16a of the heat sealing jaw 7a is engaged with the hook 16b of the pressure receiving jaw 7b, and the engaging force in the cross sealing of web W nipped between the inductor 8 and pressure receiving bar 9 is controlled by adjusting the working oil pressure of a liquid pressure cylinder 18 of the hook 16a.
  • the cross sealing of web W is carried out by the following six processes as shown in FIG.8.
  • the pressing process in (6) is carried out to press the web W throughout processes (1) through (5).
  • (1)exclusion of the filled liquid in the web at the abovementioned cross-sealing portion is a process for excluding the filled liquid remaining in the cross-sealing portion inside the web W when the heat seal jaw 7a and pressure receiving jaw 7b press both sides of web W.
  • the output value of the heating energy ensured by electric energy obtained from a heating means such as an inductor 8 in the cycles (1) through (6) of the abovementioned cross sealing process is varied to an adequate value in compliance with the quality of liquid to be filled, and the operation is carried out in compliance with the output values determined after checking the sealed state of packaging containers.
  • the abovementioned cycles (1) through (6) are carried out in a very short time 1 second or less, per hexahedral packaging container which is a final product.
  • a theme of the invention is to detect, in real time, occurrence of defective sealing due to overheating or shortage of heating, and to easily search for the cause of any abnormal occurrences from various kinds of observed data stored in the memory, by monitoring each of the output values, operation time and operation timing pertaining to electric power generated so as to be converted to heating energy in a cross sealing of a web below the level of liquid.
  • the invention provides a packaging container producing equipment for producing packaging containers, comprising the steps of molding a plate-like web into a tubular web, filling fluid filling liquid into said tubular web, and enclosing and sealing the side of the tubular web positioned below the level of the filled liquid, and cutting off the enclosed and sealed portion thereof; wherein the degree of said enclosed and sealed state of web is observed by monitoring the values pertaining to heating energy to enclose and seal the side of the tubular web positioned below the level of said filled liquid, and simultaneously storing the values pertaining to said heating energy equivalent to an appointed number of times of enclosing and sealing operations of the tubular web.
  • the invention provides packaging container producing equipment for producing packaging containers, which is provided with a compressing means for molding a plate-like web into a tubular web, filling fluid fitting liquid into said tubular web, and for enclosing and sealing the sides of the tubular web positioned below the level of the filled liquid, and a cutting means for cutting off the enclosed and sealed portion thereof, comprising: an output monitoring means of said compressing means for monitoring values pertaining to the heating energy to enclose and seal the side of the tubular web positioned below the level of the filled liquid, and a memory means for storing values pertaining to said heating energy equivalent to an appointed number of enclosing and sealing operations of the tubular web.
  • the monitoring of values pertaining to heating energy can be facilitated by executing the output to a monitor display. Furthermore, in a case where the history of the values pertaining to the heating energy, equivalent to an appointed number of times of the past sealing operations thereof is recorded and stored, it will be useful in controlling of the timing of generation of defective products and in searching for causes thereof.
  • the output values of the peak current value, mean current value, current supplying time, heating output integration value (the square of the mean current value multiplied by the current supplying time), interval of the current supplying time, and voltage value are monitored as values pertaining to the heating energy.
  • the sealing property of web W by, for example, high frequency induction heating can not be maintained in a favorable state unless the peak current value, mean current value, heating time, heating output integration value, interval of the heating time, and voltage value are the same as the set values. That is, if even one of the abovementioned values slips from the preset value, web W having a defective cross sealing is produced.
  • the upper and lower limits are set for all the values pertaining to the heating energy of web W, it is favorable that these values exist in the range of the set values. Furthermore, if these values come off from the range (the upper or lower limit), it is highly recommended that alarm is issued or the operation of the equipment is automatically stopped.
  • the heating time is determined to carry out oscillations in the duration of time determined by a high frequency oscillation instruction, and the non-heating time is determined so that the oscillation is not carried out in the predetermined duration of time. Furthermore the heating output is determined in advance according to the material of web W, and the type of contents to be filled in the web W, wherein since the cross sealing of web W is carried out by carrying out oscillation of the inductor in compliance with a folding action of web W by a pair of sealing jaws, it is necessary that the heating time is preset so as to correspond to the folding action of the pair of sealing jaws.
  • the present invention is applicable to not only production of hexahedral packaging containers but also production of gable-top packaging containers.
  • the invention is also applicable to sealing webs such as plastic products.
  • FIG.1 is a brief perspective view of packaging container producing equipment according to one preferred embodiment of the invention
  • FIG.2 is a side elevational view of two pairs of sealing jaws 7 in operation, which are in operation, used for the packaging container producing equipment in FIG.1
  • FIG.3 shows a view taken along the line A-A in FIG.2, of a control mechanism of a heating means of sealing jaws 7.
  • Packaging container producing equipment is a packaging container producing apparatus for producing packaging containers, in which liquid contents are filled, from web W.
  • a plate-like web wound to be roll-like is used to form a tubular web W, wherein both ends of the abovementioned tubular web W are sealed (longitudinal sealing) in a longitudinal direction, contents are filled therein, and the tubular web W is cut off to a length equivalent to one packaging container, thereby making a pillow-like container P in which contents is filled. This is then made into a hexahedral packaging container C which is one of the final products.
  • a roll-like web W of rewinder 1 is unwound, the plate-like web unwound is transferred to a tube forming device 3 via a tension applying device 2 by which tension is always given to the corresponding web W, wherein the plate-like web is deformed to be tubular web W while being formed, the overlapped ends of the tubular web W in the web W flowing direction are sealed to each other, and the tubular web W is deformed to be a square column like web W by a molding member (not illustrated) and is cut off by a cutter (not illustrated), wherein the web W is cut so as to finally make packaging containers P.
  • the tube forming device 3 is provided with a filling pipe 5 for filling a filling liquid such as fluid food into a tube. Furthermore, the tube forming device 3 is also provided with two pairs of sealing jaws 7 (only one pair of sealing jaws is shown in FIG.1) to seal (cross seal) web W by pressing both sides of the web W, wherein one pair of sealing jaws is caused to move along with the web W while pulling downward the tubular web W being transferred downward, and the sealing state of the web W is released after the same sealing jaws fall an appointed distance. Thereafter, each of them is caused to move in mutually separating directions. The sealing jaws are elevated an appointed distance, wherein the processes of sealing the tubular web W are repeated.
  • the drive of the pair of sealing jaws 7 is constituted to be movable vertically by a perpendicularly movable spline shaft 6.
  • a cam 12 which constitutes a drive mechanism for causing the sealing jaws 7 to be elevated is connected to a cam follower 14 which is elevated and lowered along the side of the cam 12 via a connecting member 15 on the upper surface of the cam 12.
  • the sealing jaw 7 for cross sealing the web W consists of two pairs of sealing jaws 7, 7', and each pair of sealing jaws 7, 7' consists of heat sealing jaws 7a, 7a' for heat-sealing the web W and pressure receiving jaws 7b, 7b' to receive a compression force from the corresponding heat sealing jaws 7a, 7a'.
  • Inductors 8, 8' are provided at the engaging portion of the heat-sealing jaws 7a, 7a' with the web W surface.
  • pressure receiving bars 9, 9' and cutter 10, 10' are, respectively, secured at the engaging portion of the pressure receiving jaws 7b, 7b' with the web W.
  • Each pair of sealing jaws 7, 7' is caused to move while pulling downward while the web W being transferred downward, simultaneously with a sealing operation of the web W, and in this process, the tubular web W is deformed into a square column like web W by forming flaps (not illustrated).
  • cutters 11, 11' driven by the cylinders 10, 10' provided in the pressure receiving jaws 7b, 7b' cut off at nearly the middle part of the cross-sealed portion of the web W.
  • FIG.3 is a view taken along the line A-A in FIG.2 and shows a pair of sealing jaws 7.
  • a pair of hooks 16a, 16b is provided at both ends of the heat sealing jaw 7a and pressure receiving jaw 7b, and a cylinder 18 is connected to the hook 16a.
  • the heat sealing jaw 7a and pressure receiving jaw 7b are caused to be drawn near each other by operation of the cylinder 18, whereby the web W nipped between the inductor 8 and the pressure receiving bar 9 is sufficiently pressed when being cross-sealed.
  • the engagement of a pair of hooks 16a and 16b is cancelled.
  • FIG.3 A high frequency induction heating system for this cross sealing is illustrated in FIG.3.
  • the tube forming device 3 (FIG.1) forms a plate-like web W to a tubular web W, and the tubular web W is cross-sealed since the drive device (main shaft 13, etc.) for driving the sealing jaws, which is to fold the web W from both its sides, drives the sealing jaws 7 secured at the spline shaft 6, which is described above and shown in FIG.1.
  • the drive amount the rotating angle, etc.
  • a timing detector encoder 20
  • a timing judgment device rotating angle detector
  • the corresponding rotating angle judgement signal is outputted to a sequencer (integrated controller) and a switch, thereby outputting an oscillation instruction of the sequencer.
  • a sequencer integrated controller
  • an oscillation circuit operates for an appointed duration of time controlled by a timer incorporated in the high frequency oscillator to cause a high frequency current to flow to the inductor 8.
  • the high frequency oscillator incorporates an output monitoring display, it is possible to output data from the output monitoring display to any peripheral device.
  • the abovementioned output monitoring display has a feature which judges whether or not each of the output value data is an adequate value. If any abnormal data is generated, a signal is outputted to the sequencer to cause the drive device to stop. Furthermore, the abovementioned output monitoring display has a memory feature to store each of the output value data, and the memory has a capacity which can store the oscillation state of a high frequency oscillator of packaging containers C being final products equivalent to an appointed number of times of operations, for example, 50 to 100 products. Therefore, even in a case where a defective product arises in packaging products C being the final products, the past data stored in the memory is taken out via the output monitoring display and taken under examination. Thereby, it is possible to find the timing of occurrence of defects of the high frequency oscillator and to search for the cause. Accordingly, not only can the yield of the production be improved, but also effective information obtained, by which such defective products can be prevented from occurring.
  • the items pertaining to the heating energy to be controlled by an output monitoring display are high frequency current value (the mean value of the detected current), peak DC value, output integration value [ ⁇ Mean current value (I) ⁇ 2 multiplied by time (t)], current supplying time (oscillation time), interval time (between the current supplying time and current non-supplying time), voltage value, etc.
  • FIG.4 shows timing charts of the high frequency oscillation (current supplying) time, and operations of cutting and compressing time of two pairs of sealing jaws 7, 7'. Two pairs of sealing jaws 7,7' alternately cross seal web W.
  • FIG.5, FIG.6 and FIG.7 illustrate display examples on the monitoring display when any one of the abovementioned items controlled by the output monitoring display pertaining to the heating energy becomes abnormal.
  • FIG.5 shows an abnormal example of the interval time, in which (a) shows a state that a heating process of one packaging container C is omitted, and (b) shows that in the illustrated example, the initial interval time is too long, and the current supplying time of the second packaging container C overlaps with the cutting time.
  • FIG.6 shows an abnormal example of the high frequency oscillation time (current supplying time), in which (a) shows a case where the oscillation time is too long and (b) shows a case where the time is too short. It is clear that the output integration value also becomes abnormal due to the abnormality of this high frequency oscillation time (current supplying time).
  • FIG.7 illustrates the abnormalities of the current values.
  • FIG.4 illustrates the mean high frequency current values. It is set that, if each of these output values exceeds the upper limit or does not reach the lower limit (for example, ⁇ 5% of the preset values), any abnormality is judged to exist in the output values and an alarm is issued.
  • the cross sealing degree of web W depends on the oscillation energy of high frequency of the inductor 8.
  • various kinds of the abovementioned output values are monitored and all these output values are located in the range of the preset values, wherein the reliability of cross sealing of web W is assured, and no defective product occurs in the final packaging containers.
  • the invention provides a packaging container producing method and producing which is able to monitor the output state of a seal heating device so that sufficient cross sealing of a web can be secured. Sealing property of a tubular web by high frequency induction heating can not be maintained in a satisfactory state unless the the peak current value, mean current value, current supplying time, heating output integration value (the square of the mean current value multiplied by the current supplying time), interval of the current supplying time, and voltage value are as a preset value.
  • the upper and lower limits are established with respect to all these values pertaining to the heating energy of a web, wherein if any one of these values exceeds the upper limit or does not reach the lower limit, an alarm is issued or the operation of the equipment is automatically stopped.
  • the history of the values pertaining to the abovementioned heating energy which covers an appointed number of times of the past sealing operations of a tubular web, is recorded and stored, wherein it is possible to control the point of time when any defective product is produced, or useful to search for the cause thereof.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Composite Materials (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Containers And Plastic Fillers For Packaging (AREA)
  • Package Closures (AREA)

Abstract

The invention provides a packaging container producing method and producing which is able to monitor the output state of a seal heating device so that sufficient cross sealing of a web can be secured. Sealing property of a tubular web by high frequency induction heating can not be maintained in a satisfactory state unless the the peak current value, mean current value, current supplying time, heating output integration value (the square of the mean current value multiplied by the current supplying time), interval of the current supplying time, and voltage value are as a preset value. The upper and lower limits are established with respect to all these values pertaining to the heating energy of a web, wherein if any one of these values exceeds the upper limit or does not reach the lower limit, an alarm is issued or the operation of the equipment is automatically stopped. Furthermore, the history of the values pertaining to the abovementioned heating energy, which covers an appointed number of times of the past sealing operations of a tubular web, is recorded and stored, wherein it is possible to control the point of time when any defective product is produced, or useful to search for the cause thereof. Thus, by locating the values pertaining to the abovementioned heating energy within the range of the set values, the sealing reliability of a web can be assured, and no defective product is produced in the final packaging containers.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention
The present invention relates to a packaging container producing method and equipment, and in particular relates to a packaging container producing method and equipment by which a plate-like web is molded into a tubular web and a filling liquid such as a fluid food is filled in the tubular web. Description of the related art
A plate-like web wound like a roll is moved while being continuously unwound, in order to gradually mold it to be tubular, the web is continuously adhered at the position where both ends thereof in the direction orthogonal to the lengthwise direction of the web slightly overlap, and a filling liquid such as a fluid food is filled therein. In order to continuously form packaging containers in which the filling liquid is fully filled, the packaging containers are enclosed below the level of the filling liquid and are sealed (cross sealed) in the direction orthogonal to the web lengthwise direction. Thereafter, nearly the central portion of the abovementioned cross-sealed part in its width direction is cut off. That is, by repeating a series of these operations, a liquid filling packaging container is formed, wherein finally, a parallel-hexahedral container is produced.
When filling a filling liquid such as fluid food into a web, two pairs of sealing jaws 2 are provided, which cross seal a web in such a state that the web is pressed from both sides thereof, and the tubular web being transferred downward is put and nipped between the respective pairs of sealing jaws which move along with the web while pulling the web W. After the sealing jaws shift down an appointed distance, nearly the central portion of the cross-sealing part is cut off as described above, and simultaneously the sealing state of the web W is opened to cancel the downward transferring force of the tubular web, wherein the sealing jaws are caused to move in a direction of being spaced from each other, and elevated an appointed distance, and the processes of a sealing operation of a tubular web are repeated.
A tubular web is composed of a multi-layered structure consisting of polyethylene film layer, adhesive glue layer, aluminium foil layer, paper layer, and polyethylene film layer from the inside in that order. The cross sealing of the tubular web is carried out by heating and melting the polyethylene film layer using the abovementioned pair of sealing jaws.
A pair of sealing jaws consists of, for example, as shown in FIG.2 and FIG.3, a heat sealing jaw 7a for heat-sealing, and a pressure receiving jaw 7b to receive a compression force from the heat sealing jaw 7a (although, in FIG.2, there is a pair of heat sealing jaw 7a and a pressure receiving jaw 7b, and there is a pair of a heat sealing jaw 7a' and a pressure receiving jaw 7b', hereinafter the description deals with only the pair of heat sealing jaw 7a and pressure receiving jaw 7b), an inductor 8 is provided at the contacting portion of the heat sealing jaw 7a with the web surface, and a pressure receiving bar 9 and a cutter 11, which cuts off the middle portion of the cross-sealed part in the width direction, are secured at the contacting portion of the pressure receiving jaw 7b with the web W. Furthermore, a hook 16a and a hook 16b are provided at both ends of the heat sealing jaw 7a and pressure receiving jaw 7b, respectively, wherein the hook 16a of the heat sealing jaw 7a is engaged with the hook 16b of the pressure receiving jaw 7b, and the engaging force in the cross sealing of web W nipped between the inductor 8 and pressure receiving bar 9 is controlled by adjusting the working oil pressure of a liquid pressure cylinder 18 of the hook 16a.
Subsequently, an eddy current is caused to flow to the aluminium foil of web W by the inductor 8 of the heat seal jaw 7a when both sides of the web are pressed by the heat seal jaw 7a and pressure receiving jaw 7b of a pair of seal jaws 7, wherein heat is generated by induction heating. With this heat, the polyethylene film layer is melted to cause the web W to be cross-sealed.
The cross sealing of web W is carried out by the following six processes as shown in FIG.8.
  • (1) Exclusion of the filled liquid below the level in the web W
  • (2) Heating at an appointed output for an appointed duration of time from the outside of web W
  • (3) Cooling of the web W
  • (4) Cutting at the cross-sealed portion (Separation of pillow-like containers)
  • (5) Holding of the web
  • (6) Pressing at an appointed level of pressure for an appointed duration of time
    • Although the web W is cross-sealed by the abovementioned six processes, as shown in FIG.8, the pressing process in (6) is carried out to press the web W throughout processes (1) through (5).
    As shown in FIG.9, (1)exclusion of the filled liquid in the web at the abovementioned cross-sealing portion is a process for excluding the filled liquid remaining in the cross-sealing portion inside the web W when the heat seal jaw 7a and pressure receiving jaw 7b press both sides of web W.
    The output value of the heating energy ensured by electric energy obtained from a heating means such as an inductor 8 in the cycles (1) through (6) of the abovementioned cross sealing process is varied to an adequate value in compliance with the quality of liquid to be filled, and the operation is carried out in compliance with the output values determined after checking the sealed state of packaging containers. In most cases, the abovementioned cycles (1) through (6) are carried out in a very short time 1 second or less, per hexahedral packaging container which is a final product.
    With respect to the process for cross sealing below the level of the liquid, which is carried out in a very short time 1 second or less per packaging container, it was not possible to detect, in real time, whether or not each operation is carried out in a reliable state.
    SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
    Therefore, a theme of the invention is to detect, in real time, occurrence of defective sealing due to overheating or shortage of heating, and to easily search for the cause of any abnormal occurrences from various kinds of observed data stored in the memory, by monitoring each of the output values, operation time and operation timing pertaining to electric power generated so as to be converted to heating energy in a cross sealing of a web below the level of liquid.
    Furthermore, it is therefore an object of the invention to provide packaging container producing equipment which is able to monitor the output state of the seal heating means so that the cross sealing of web can be sufficiently carried out.
    The abovementioned themes of the invention can be solved by the following construction.
    That is, the invention provides a packaging container producing equipment for producing packaging containers, comprising the steps of molding a plate-like web into a tubular web, filling fluid filling liquid into said tubular web, and enclosing and sealing the side of the tubular web positioned below the level of the filled liquid, and cutting off the enclosed and sealed portion thereof; wherein the degree of said enclosed and sealed state of web is observed by monitoring the values pertaining to heating energy to enclose and seal the side of the tubular web positioned below the level of said filled liquid, and simultaneously storing the values pertaining to said heating energy equivalent to an appointed number of times of enclosing and sealing operations of the tubular web.
    Furthermore, the invention provides packaging container producing equipment for producing packaging containers, which is provided with a compressing means for molding a plate-like web into a tubular web, filling fluid fitting liquid into said tubular web, and for enclosing and sealing the sides of the tubular web positioned below the level of the filled liquid, and a cutting means for cutting off the enclosed and sealed portion thereof, comprising: an output monitoring means of said compressing means for monitoring values pertaining to the heating energy to enclose and seal the side of the tubular web positioned below the level of the filled liquid, and a memory means for storing values pertaining to said heating energy equivalent to an appointed number of enclosing and sealing operations of the tubular web.
    In the abovementioned packaging container producing method and equipment according to the invention, the monitoring of values pertaining to heating energy can be facilitated by executing the output to a monitor display. Furthermore, in a case where the history of the values pertaining to the heating energy, equivalent to an appointed number of times of the past sealing operations thereof is recorded and stored, it will be useful in controlling of the timing of generation of defective products and in searching for causes thereof.
    Furthermore, in the packaging container producing method and equipment according to the invention, in a case where the heating energy depends upon high frequency induction heating, the output values of the peak current value, mean current value, current supplying time, heating output integration value (the square of the mean current value multiplied by the current supplying time), interval of the current supplying time, and voltage value are monitored as values pertaining to the heating energy.
    The sealing property of web W by, for example, high frequency induction heating, can not be maintained in a favorable state unless the peak current value, mean current value, heating time, heating output integration value, interval of the heating time, and voltage value are the same as the set values. That is, if even one of the abovementioned values slips from the preset value, web W having a defective cross sealing is produced.
    Since, in the invention, the upper and lower limits are set for all the values pertaining to the heating energy of web W, it is favorable that these values exist in the range of the set values. Furthermore, if these values come off from the range (the upper or lower limit), it is highly recommended that alarm is issued or the operation of the equipment is automatically stopped.
    In a case where a high frequency induction heating device is used as a heating device for cross sealing of the web W, the heating time is determined to carry out oscillations in the duration of time determined by a high frequency oscillation instruction, and the non-heating time is determined so that the oscillation is not carried out in the predetermined duration of time. Furthermore the heating output is determined in advance according to the material of web W, and the type of contents to be filled in the web W, wherein since the cross sealing of web W is carried out by carrying out oscillation of the inductor in compliance with a folding action of web W by a pair of sealing jaws, it is necessary that the heating time is preset so as to correspond to the folding action of the pair of sealing jaws.
    Thus, by placing all of the peak current value, mean current value, current supplying time, heating output integration value (the square of the mean current value multiplied by current supplying time), interval of current supplying time and voltage value in the range of the preset values, the reliability of the cross sealing of web W can be assured, and it is possible to eliminate defective products in the final packaging container.
    The present invention is applicable to not only production of hexahedral packaging containers but also production of gable-top packaging containers.
    The invention is also applicable to sealing webs such as plastic products.
    BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
    The above and other advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts and wherein:
  • FIG.1 is a sketch of packaging container producing equipment for producing packaging containers, in which contents are filled, from a plate-like web according to a preferred embodiment of the invention,
  • FIG.2 is a side elevational view of the sealing jaw portion, consisting of two pairs, of the packaging container producing equipment in FIG.1,
  • FIG.3 is a view taken along the line A-A in FIG.2 and an operation controlling view of a high frequency induction heating system of the sealing jaw portion,
  • FIG.4 is a drive timing chart of the sealing jaws in FIG.2,
  • FIG.5 is an explanatory view of operation abnormality of the high frequency induction heating system of the sealing jaw portion in FIG.2,
  • FIG.6 is another explanatory view of operation abnormality of the high frequency induction heating system of the sealing jaw portion in FIG.2,
  • FIG.7 is a timing chart of the output waveforms of high frequency oscillation current of the sealing jaw portion in FIG.2,
  • FIG.8 is a timing chart of cross sealing of a web by the sealing jaws of the packaging container producing equipment, and
  • FIG.9 is a view showing a state where the filled liquid is excluded in a cross sealing of a web by the sealing jaws of the packaging container producing equipment.
    • DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
    A description is given of preferred embodiments of the invention.
    FIG.1 is a brief perspective view of packaging container producing equipment according to one preferred embodiment of the invention, FIG.2 is a side elevational view of two pairs of sealing jaws 7 in operation, which are in operation, used for the packaging container producing equipment in FIG.1, and FIG.3 shows a view taken along the line A-A in FIG.2, of a control mechanism of a heating means of sealing jaws 7.
    Packaging container producing equipment according to the abovementioned preferred embodiment is a packaging container producing apparatus for producing packaging containers, in which liquid contents are filled, from web W. As shown in FIG. 1, a plate-like web wound to be roll-like is used to form a tubular web W, wherein both ends of the abovementioned tubular web W are sealed (longitudinal sealing) in a longitudinal direction, contents are filled therein, and the tubular web W is cut off to a length equivalent to one packaging container, thereby making a pillow-like container P in which contents is filled. This is then made into a hexahedral packaging container C which is one of the final products.
    In the abovementioned packaging container producing equipment, a roll-like web W of rewinder 1 is unwound, the plate-like web unwound is transferred to a tube forming device 3 via a tension applying device 2 by which tension is always given to the corresponding web W, wherein the plate-like web is deformed to be tubular web W while being formed, the overlapped ends of the tubular web W in the web W flowing direction are sealed to each other, and the tubular web W is deformed to be a square column like web W by a molding member (not illustrated) and is cut off by a cutter (not illustrated), wherein the web W is cut so as to finally make packaging containers P.
    The tube forming device 3 is provided with a filling pipe 5 for filling a filling liquid such as fluid food into a tube. Furthermore, the tube forming device 3 is also provided with two pairs of sealing jaws 7 (only one pair of sealing jaws is shown in FIG.1) to seal (cross seal) web W by pressing both sides of the web W, wherein one pair of sealing jaws is caused to move along with the web W while pulling downward the tubular web W being transferred downward, and the sealing state of the web W is released after the same sealing jaws fall an appointed distance. Thereafter, each of them is caused to move in mutually separating directions. The sealing jaws are elevated an appointed distance, wherein the processes of sealing the tubular web W are repeated.
    The drive of the pair of sealing jaws 7 is constituted to be movable vertically by a perpendicularly movable spline shaft 6. A cam 12 which constitutes a drive mechanism for causing the sealing jaws 7 to be elevated is connected to a cam follower 14 which is elevated and lowered along the side of the cam 12 via a connecting member 15 on the upper surface of the cam 12.
    With the side of the tubular web W pressed by a pair of sealing jaws 7, the polyethylene film layer of the web W is melted by a heating member incorporated in the corresponding sealing jaws 7 so that the sides of the web W to be pressure-fit are caused to be integrated with each other, thereby performing a cross sealing.
    As shown in FIG.2, the sealing jaw 7 for cross sealing the web W consists of two pairs of sealing jaws 7, 7', and each pair of sealing jaws 7, 7' consists of heat sealing jaws 7a, 7a' for heat-sealing the web W and pressure receiving jaws 7b, 7b' to receive a compression force from the corresponding heat sealing jaws 7a, 7a'. Inductors 8, 8' are provided at the engaging portion of the heat-sealing jaws 7a, 7a' with the web W surface. Furthermore, pressure receiving bars 9, 9' and cutter 10, 10' are, respectively, secured at the engaging portion of the pressure receiving jaws 7b, 7b' with the web W. Each pair of sealing jaws 7, 7' is caused to move while pulling downward while the web W being transferred downward, simultaneously with a sealing operation of the web W, and in this process, the tubular web W is deformed into a square column like web W by forming flaps (not illustrated). However, when a pair of sealing jaws 7, 7' descends an appointed distance, cutters 11, 11' driven by the cylinders 10, 10' provided in the pressure receiving jaws 7b, 7b' cut off at nearly the middle part of the cross-sealed portion of the web W.
    The sealed state of the web W by the sealing jaws 7, 7' is released by the cutters 11, 11'. Pillow-like container P is cut off, and simultaneously the downward transferring force of the square column like web W is cancelled, wherein the sealing jaws 7, 7' are caused to move in, mutually, separate directions, are elevated an appointed distance and then repeat a sealing operation of the tubular web W.
    Furthermore, FIG.3 is a view taken along the line A-A in FIG.2 and shows a pair of sealing jaws 7. A pair of hooks 16a, 16b is provided at both ends of the heat sealing jaw 7a and pressure receiving jaw 7b, and a cylinder 18 is connected to the hook 16a. And after the hook 16a and the hook 16b are engaged with each other as shown in FIG.3, the heat sealing jaw 7a and pressure receiving jaw 7b are caused to be drawn near each other by operation of the cylinder 18, whereby the web W nipped between the inductor 8 and the pressure receiving bar 9 is sufficiently pressed when being cross-sealed. Although not illustrated, when the cross sealing and cutting of web W are finished by a pair of sealing jaws 7 and the pair of sealing jaw 7 are separated from each other, the engagement of a pair of hooks 16a and 16b is cancelled.
    Since an eddy current is caused to flow to the aluminium foil of the web W by the inductor 8 of the heat sealing jaw 7a when the heat sealing jaw 7a and pressure receiving jaw 7b press both sides of the web W by engagement of the hook 16a and hook 16b, the aluminium foil is self-heated, and this heat melts the polyethylene film layer of the web W to cross-seal the web W.
    A high frequency induction heating system for this cross sealing is illustrated in FIG.3. The tube forming device 3 (FIG.1) forms a plate-like web W to a tubular web W, and the tubular web W is cross-sealed since the drive device (main shaft 13, etc.) for driving the sealing jaws, which is to fold the web W from both its sides, drives the sealing jaws 7 secured at the spline shaft 6, which is described above and shown in FIG.1. At this time, the drive amount (the rotating angle, etc. of the main shaft 13) of the drive device is detected by a timing detector (encoder) 20, wherein if a timing judgment device (rotating angle detector) judges that the detected angle is an appointed rotating angle, the corresponding rotating angle judgement signal is outputted to a sequencer (integrated controller) and a switch, thereby outputting an oscillation instruction of the sequencer. If both rotating angle judgement signal and an oscillation instruction from the sequencer are outputted to the switch, an oscillation circuit operates for an appointed duration of time controlled by a timer incorporated in the high frequency oscillator to cause a high frequency current to flow to the inductor 8. At this time, since the high frequency oscillator incorporates an output monitoring display, it is possible to output data from the output monitoring display to any peripheral device.
    The abovementioned output monitoring display has a feature which judges whether or not each of the output value data is an adequate value. If any abnormal data is generated, a signal is outputted to the sequencer to cause the drive device to stop. Furthermore, the abovementioned output monitoring display has a memory feature to store each of the output value data, and the memory has a capacity which can store the oscillation state of a high frequency oscillator of packaging containers C being final products equivalent to an appointed number of times of operations, for example, 50 to 100 products. Therefore, even in a case where a defective product arises in packaging products C being the final products, the past data stored in the memory is taken out via the output monitoring display and taken under examination. Thereby, it is possible to find the timing of occurrence of defects of the high frequency oscillator and to search for the cause. Accordingly, not only can the yield of the production be improved, but also effective information obtained, by which such defective products can be prevented from occurring.
    The items pertaining to the heating energy to be controlled by an output monitoring display are high frequency current value (the mean value of the detected current), peak DC value, output integration value [{Mean current value (I)}2 multiplied by time (t)], current supplying time (oscillation time), interval time (between the current supplying time and current non-supplying time), voltage value, etc.
    Accordingly, if each of the abovementioned output values exceeds the upper limit or does not reach the lower limit, an alarm is issued.
    For example, FIG.4 shows timing charts of the high frequency oscillation (current supplying) time, and operations of cutting and compressing time of two pairs of sealing jaws 7, 7'. Two pairs of sealing jaws 7,7' alternately cross seal web W. FIG.5, FIG.6 and FIG.7 illustrate display examples on the monitoring display when any one of the abovementioned items controlled by the output monitoring display pertaining to the heating energy becomes abnormal.
    FIG.5 shows an abnormal example of the interval time, in which (a) shows a state that a heating process of one packaging container C is omitted, and (b) shows that in the illustrated example, the initial interval time is too long, and the current supplying time of the second packaging container C overlaps with the cutting time.
    Furthermore, FIG.6 shows an abnormal example of the high frequency oscillation time (current supplying time), in which (a) shows a case where the oscillation time is too long and (b) shows a case where the time is too short. It is clear that the output integration value also becomes abnormal due to the abnormality of this high frequency oscillation time (current supplying time).
    Actually, it is set that if each of the output values to be monitored in this embodiment, which is exemplarily illustrated in FIG.5 and FIG.6, exceeds the upper limit or does not reach the lower limit (for example, ±5% of the set values), an alarm is issued.
    Furthermore, although the abnormalities of the current values are shown in FIG.7, there is a peak current value in the actual high frequency current as shown in FIG.7. FIG.4 illustrates the mean high frequency current values. It is set that, if each of these output values exceeds the upper limit or does not reach the lower limit (for example, ±5% of the preset values), any abnormality is judged to exist in the output values and an alarm is issued.
    The cross sealing degree of web W depends on the oscillation energy of high frequency of the inductor 8. Conventionally, although only the instantaneous output values of the current and voltage values have been monitored to judge whether or not the inductor 8 is operating in a favorable state, in this preferred embodiment, various kinds of the abovementioned output values are monitored and all these output values are located in the range of the preset values, wherein the reliability of cross sealing of web W is assured, and no defective product occurs in the final packaging containers.
    Furthermore, even if any abnormality arises, it is possible to easily search for the cause thereof since electric data to assure reliable cross sealing of web W can be stored in a memory.
    Summary
    The invention provides a packaging container producing method and producing which is able to monitor the output state of a seal heating device so that sufficient cross sealing of a web can be secured. Sealing property of a tubular web by high frequency induction heating can not be maintained in a satisfactory state unless the the peak current value, mean current value, current supplying time, heating output integration value (the square of the mean current value multiplied by the current supplying time), interval of the current supplying time, and voltage value are as a preset value. The upper and lower limits are established with respect to all these values pertaining to the heating energy of a web, wherein if any one of these values exceeds the upper limit or does not reach the lower limit, an alarm is issued or the operation of the equipment is automatically stopped. Furthermore, the history of the values pertaining to the abovementioned heating energy, which covers an appointed number of times of the past sealing operations of a tubular web, is recorded and stored, wherein it is possible to control the point of time when any defective product is produced, or useful to search for the cause thereof. Thus, by locating the values pertaining to the abovementioned heating energy within the range of the set values, the sealing reliability of a web can be assured, and no defective product is produced in the final packaging containers.

    Claims (10)

    1. A packaging container producing method for producing packaging containers, characterized in comprising the steps of molding a plate-like web into tubular web, filling liquid or solid material into said tubular web, and enclosing and sealing the side of the tubular web positioned below the level of the filled material and cutting off the enclosed and sealed portion thereof;
         wherein the degree of said enclosed and sealed state of the web is observed by monitoring the values pertaining to heating energy to enclose and seal the side of the tubular web positioned below the level of said filled material and, simultaneously, storing the values pertaining to said heating energy equivalent to an appointed number of times of enclosing and sealing operations of the tubular web.
    2. A packaging container producing method as set forth in claim 1, wherein in a case where the heating energy is produced by high frequency induction heating, the output values of the peak current value, mean current value, current supplying time, heating output integration value (the square of the mean current value multiplied by the current supplying time), interval of the current supplying time, and voltage value are monitored as values pertaining to the heating energy.
    3. A packaging container producing method as set forth in claim 1 or 2, wherein various kinds of output values pertaining to the heating energy are adjusted so as to be within the preset range.
    4. Packaging container producing equipment for producing packaging containers, which characterized in comprising width a compressing means for molding a plate-like web into a tubular web, filling means. for material into said tubular web, and means for enclosing and sealing the side of the tubular web positioned below the level of the filled material and a cutting means for cutting off the enclosed and sealed portion thereof, an output monitoring means of said compressing means for monitoring values pertaining to the heating energy to enclose and seal the side of the tubular web positioned below the level of the filled material, and
         a memory means for storing values pertaining to said heating energy equivalent to an appointed number of enclosing and sealing operations of the tubular web.
    5. Packaging container producing equipment as set forth in claim 4, wherein a control device is provided, which adjusts said various kinds of output values pertaining to the heating energy on the basis of the output values of the output monitoring means for monitoring the values pertaining to heating energy to enclose and seal the sides of the tubular web, so that they are within the preset range.
    6. A web sealing method characterised in comprising the steps of sealing two portions of web together by heating and melting both sides of a double web while pressing them wherein the degree of sealed state of the web is observed by monitoring the values pertaining to heating energy to seal the web and, simultaneously, storing the values pertaining to said heating energy equivalent to an appointed number of times of sealing operations of the web.
    7. A web sealing device characterised in comprising an output monitoring means of said compressing means for monitoring values pertaining to the heating energy to seal the web material and a memory means for storing values pertaining to said heating energy equivalent to an appointed number of sealing operations of the web.
    8. A control system for a packaging container producing equipment as set forth in claim 4, or web sealing device as set forth in claim 7 comprising the output monitoring means and memory means; wherein a control device is provided, which adjusts said various kinds of output values pertaining to the heating energy on the basis of the output values of the output monitoring means for monitoring the values pertaining to heating energy to seal the web, so that they are within the preset range.
    9. A packaging container obtained with the equipment of any of Claims 4 and 5 and/or the method of any of Claims 2 and 3.
    10. Packaging container producing equipment and a packaging container producing method, and a web sealing method and device and a control system as hereinbefore described with reference to the description and figures.
    EP19980305297 1997-07-09 1998-07-03 Heat sealing method and device for packaging container production Expired - Lifetime EP0890516B1 (en)

    Applications Claiming Priority (3)

    Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
    JP18328597A JPH1129109A (en) 1997-07-09 1997-07-09 Method and apparatus for producing packaging container
    JP183285/97 1997-07-09
    JP18328597 1997-07-09

    Publications (2)

    Publication Number Publication Date
    EP0890516A1 true EP0890516A1 (en) 1999-01-13
    EP0890516B1 EP0890516B1 (en) 2004-04-21

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    EP19980305297 Expired - Lifetime EP0890516B1 (en) 1997-07-09 1998-07-03 Heat sealing method and device for packaging container production

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    EP (1) EP0890516B1 (en)
    JP (1) JPH1129109A (en)
    DE (1) DE69823272T2 (en)
    DK (1) DK0890516T3 (en)

    Cited By (6)

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    GB2402592B (en) * 2002-03-06 2006-04-12 State Technology Inc Tube apparatus for detecting successful or failed tube operations
    EP1674397A1 (en) * 2003-10-14 2006-06-28 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance Sa Packing filling machine and lateral sealing machine
    US8425961B2 (en) 2009-03-19 2013-04-23 Kraft Foods R&D, Inc. Method, apparatus and mold for producing a confectionery product
    WO2013092901A1 (en) * 2011-12-23 2013-06-27 Gea Cfs Weert B.V. Seal wire for a vertical flow wrapper
    EP2714373A1 (en) * 2011-05-27 2014-04-09 Å&R Carton Lund AB Method for manufacturing a container comprising sealing of container parts
    JP2015100976A (en) * 2013-11-25 2015-06-04 日産自動車株式会社 Seal component production device and method

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    JP5614683B2 (en) * 2010-06-14 2014-10-29 株式会社川島製作所 Automatic packaging machine

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    EP0602000A1 (en) * 1989-02-02 1994-06-15 Du Pont Canada Inc. Vertical form and fill machine improvements
    US5678390A (en) * 1995-10-17 1997-10-21 Food Machinery Sales, Inc. Horizontal form, fill, and seal packaging machine

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    EP0602000A1 (en) * 1989-02-02 1994-06-15 Du Pont Canada Inc. Vertical form and fill machine improvements
    US5678390A (en) * 1995-10-17 1997-10-21 Food Machinery Sales, Inc. Horizontal form, fill, and seal packaging machine

    Cited By (8)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    GB2402592B (en) * 2002-03-06 2006-04-12 State Technology Inc Tube apparatus for detecting successful or failed tube operations
    EP1674397A1 (en) * 2003-10-14 2006-06-28 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance Sa Packing filling machine and lateral sealing machine
    EP1674397A4 (en) * 2003-10-14 2011-03-02 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance Packing filling machine and lateral sealing machine
    US8425961B2 (en) 2009-03-19 2013-04-23 Kraft Foods R&D, Inc. Method, apparatus and mold for producing a confectionery product
    EP2714373A1 (en) * 2011-05-27 2014-04-09 Å&R Carton Lund AB Method for manufacturing a container comprising sealing of container parts
    EP2714373A4 (en) * 2011-05-27 2015-01-21 Carton Lund Ab R Method for manufacturing a container comprising sealing of container parts
    WO2013092901A1 (en) * 2011-12-23 2013-06-27 Gea Cfs Weert B.V. Seal wire for a vertical flow wrapper
    JP2015100976A (en) * 2013-11-25 2015-06-04 日産自動車株式会社 Seal component production device and method

    Also Published As

    Publication number Publication date
    DE69823272D1 (en) 2004-05-27
    EP0890516B1 (en) 2004-04-21
    DK0890516T3 (en) 2004-07-26
    JPH1129109A (en) 1999-02-02
    DE69823272T2 (en) 2005-04-28

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